Andre Russell keen on making it to West Indies World Cup 2019 Squad

IPL 2019 is going to be a big tournament running up to the World Cup, says Andre Russell.

West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell is currently sweating it out in the gym to regain full fitness and getting ready in time for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, as he doesn’t want to miss out on the next year’s showpiece event in England and Wales due to his knee problems.

Russell, who is widely regarded as the biggest hitter of the game, has revealed that he had to miss out recent India series due to knee problems, but he is now feeling a lot better and his main target is to be 100% fit and ready to go to the mega ICC event in England.

The all-rounder told India Today on Tuesday, “My knees, I did get therapy two months ago and I am feeling a lot better at the moment. I have been busy in the gym, getting ready and fit for the World Cup. It is a big tournament, in fact, the biggest moment in cricket. I don't want to sit at home when the World Cup is being played, so just making sure I am fit and ready to go.”

With the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019) just finishing before the World Cup, which will kick-start from May 30 and Russell believes that the T20 event will be an ideal practice for many to work on their game and get confidence going into the big 50-over tournament.

The 30-year-old further added, “It [IPL] is going to be a big tournament running up to the World Cup and you can work on your game while in the IPL. You are going to go and play cricket for two months and on your day off, you can lie in bed all day. The IPL is just before the World Cup, so you have to do everything to stay fit physically and in good condition and after the IPL will be the most important thing. Want to get wickets and get confidence going into the World Cup.”

He is also excited to play another IPL season under Dinesh Karthik for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Russell signed off by saying: “We [Dinesh Karthik and I] get along very well. He is professional at what he does. It is good to see what he does before every match and goes put on to the field to be the best he can. Waiting for an exciting season with him in the IPL.”